Device for Rehabilitation of the Limbs and of the Trunk

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a device for rehabilitation and exercise of the limbs, the joints and the trunk.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of articles for physical wellbeing, in particular for rehabilitation and exercise of the limbs, the joints and the trunk.

BACKGROUND ART

It is a known problem that rehabilitation after traumas and accidents often requires lengthy times and, above all, the use, by the patient, of equipment that is costly and difficult to handle, often making it necessary for the patient to go to specialized centres where this equipment can be used for the time required by the therapy.

In addition to this, equipment for rehabilitation after traumas and accidents often consists of complex exercise machines which require the person using them to exert considerable strength, which can be extremely tiring with consequences on times of use and efficacy of the exercise, as well on the patient's spirits.

The above shows that there is clearly the need to produce a device with reduced dimensions which allows rehabilitation and training exercises to be carried out without requiring considerable efforts by the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Device for exercising the limbs and the trunk comprising a hollow container containing a movable mass, liquid or solid, said container being hinged to a central support by means of a connecting joint the height of which is greater than the height of the centre of gravity of the assembly formed by said hollow container and by said movable mass.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 Structure of the hollow container which provides the supporting base of the device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 First preferred embodiment of the device according to the present invention, as a stool.

FIG. 3 Second preferred embodiment of the device according to the present invention, as a chair provided with backrest and armrests.

FIG. 4 Third preferred embodiment of the device according to the present invention, as an oscillating platform.

FIG. 5 Hollow container of the device according to the present invention wherein the seat for the joint for connection to the central support is positioned above the supporting surface of said container.

FIG. 6 Fourth preferred embodiment of the device according to the present invention, for exercising the upper limbs.

FIG. 7 Fifth preferred embodiment of the device according to the present invention, comprising movable parts intended to adjust its profile and its dynamic behaviour.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The patent application PCT n. WO2004062434 describes a dynamic footstool which allows the lower limbs and joints to be exercised by means of footrests movable about a support. In one of the preferred embodiments described this device has the structure described in FIG. 1.

The fundamental characteristic of this embodiment of said dynamic footrest is that it is composed of a platform 13 associated with a hollow container 10 containing a movable mass 11, liquid or solid, said container, said platform or both being hinged to a suitable support by means of a connection joint 12 the height of which is greater than the height of the centre of gravity of the assembly formed by said hollow body and by said movable mass. Said platform 13 can be flat or have an upper surface of various contour.

The form of the container is produced to obtain maximum inertial thrust with minimum effort. In fact, in the idle position with the supporting surface of the container 10 horizontal with respect to the floor, the movable mass is positioned evenly over the base of the container, around the connecting joint 12. At this point, slight angular inclination of the container is sufficient to move the movable mass distinctly to one side drawing the container which thereby acts on the foot of the user stimulating the ankle and the entire lower limb to perform a movement which is beneficial to the joint, muscles and blood circulation.

This mechanism is triggered by each small movement of the user, who can therefore benefit from the effects of this passive exercise without it being necessary to apply intentional force to the device.

In the light of the efficacy of the device forming the object of the application PCT n. WO2004062434, it is desirable to extend the field of application to extend the application to fitness or rehabilitation activities regarding other parts of the body and different pathologies or exercise requirements.

The devices forming the object of the present invention are an adaptation of the previous device so that it can be used in different fields of application.

With reference to FIG. 2, this shows a first embodiment of the device according to the present invention in the form of a stool.

Said device comprises a seat 20 associated with a hollow container shaped so that it is essentially flat on one side and semi-toroidal on the other with a central depression housing the seat for the joint 21 for connection to the central support 22. The hollow container contains a certain movable mass 28, liquid or solid, free to move inside said container. Alternatively, the inside of the container could be provided with inner walls to orient movement of said movable mass 28 in one or more preferred directions.

Said container can also be provided with fixed masses, applied to the inner or outer walls thereof, to favour movement in certain directions with respect to others which are instead inhibited. Said fixed masses can, for example, be applied in the form of metal edges, bands, studs, etc.

The hollow container is connected to the central support by suitable connection means, such as a ball joint, which can allow complete rotation about said axis, allow limited rotation or yet again allow free rotation in certain directions and rotation characterized by a certain degree of friction—and therefore inhibited—in certain other directions in the event of this being required by specific needs.

The central support 22 has a plate 23, preferably disc-shaped, which forms the stop for the seat 20 during oscillation thereof. Said plate will preferably have a gasket 24, at the level of the area of contact with said hollow container 10, which can have an uneven thickness to allow variable inclination of the seat according to the side on which inclination takes place. Moreover, said plate will preferably be provided with a mechanism 25 to adjust the height thereof along the central support 22 and be capable of rotating about said central support 22.

The central support of the first preferred embodiment of the device according to the present invention is provided with a base 26 to rest on the floor and can also have a further mechanism 27 to adjust the height of the seat from the floor.

The device in the embodiment described above has the benefit of favouring the rotational movement of the pelvis, of the trunk and of the entire spinal column of the user, involving the abdominal muscles and the muscles of the back trunk.

The device described above can be completed by adding a support provided with backrest 30 and armrests 31, as shown in the attached FIG. 3.

The dimensions of the device according to the present invention and the quantity of movable mass inside the hollow container can vary according to the particular application which is to be produced.

With reference to FIG. 4, a further preferred embodiment of the device according to the present invention is shown. This is an oscillating platform, realised in the same way as described above with regard to the previous embodiment, preferably covered, on the upper side thereof, with a suitable non-slip material 40, on which the user must remain standing, in balance, compensating with the muscles of the lower limbs the thrusts caused by the movable mass contained in the device. As a consequence of this, the muscles of the lower limbs, in particular the muscles that are not usually involved by normal exercise equipment, are strengthened and toned, with important benefits also for the blood circulation.

With reference to FIG. 5, it is possible to modulate the degree of stability of the oscillating platform described above, modifying the hollow container so that the seat for the joint for connection to the central support is moved above the supporting surface of the container, in order to increase the difference between the height of the centre of gravity of the container and the height of the fulcrum of oscillation of the device.

A further preferred embodiment of the device according to the present invention is represented in FIG. 6. This time the device forming the object of the present invention is modified so that it can be used to exercise the upper limbs, particularly the hands, arms and shoulders. The hollow container is provided, on the upper side thereof, with a handgrip 60 which the user grasps so that his or her hand is integral with the device. In this way, the oscillations of the device according to the present invention can involve the muscles of the wrist, forearm, arm and shoulder. Usually it is possible to graduate the force exerted by the device by acting on the dimensions and on the mass contained therein. Also in this embodiment, it is possible to move the seat for the joint for connection to the central support above the supporting surface of the container, in order to increase the difference between the height of the centre of gravity of the container and the height of the fulcrum of oscillation of the device.

A further preferred embodiment of the device according to the present invention is represented in FIG. 7. The device forming the object of the present invention comprises a platform 70 with a central depression housing the seat for the joint 71 for connection to the central support 72 and at least one removable ring-shaped container 73, 74, 75 capable of engaging with said platform 70 and its protruding seat for said joint 71. Said ring-shaped container can be solid or hollow and filled with a certain movable mass 76, liquid or solid, free to move inside said container. Alternatively, the inside of said ring-shaped container can be provided with inner walls to orient movement of said movable mass 76 in one or more preferred directions, it can be provided with inner chambers that can be filled or not in order to modify the dynamic behaviour of the device according to the present invention and, for the same purpose, it can be provided with suitably located solid masses. Said ring-shaped containers can have whatever section is suitable for the wanted purpose (for example circular, elliptical, polygonal and so on).

One or more of said ring-shaped containers can be used superimposed one on the other thus allowing maximum flexibility of use in terms of adjustment of the height of the device, adjustment of the quantity of said movable mass 76 and adjustment of the dynamic behaviour of the device itself. Furthermore said ring-shaped containers can be provided with an anti-slip outer surface in order to favour the grip on the surface of said platform 70 and on the sole of the shoe of the user.

Finally, in a further preferred embodiment of the device according to the present invention, said plate 23, which forms the stop for said hollow container during oscillations thereof, is provided with suitable contact sensors, applied to said plate or to the gasket thereof 24. Said contact sensors produced for example with piezoelectric sensors or microswitch sensors, are connected to an electronic data acquisition board which records and processes mapping of the contacts between container and plate, said mapping which can be transferred to a personal computer in order to evaluate and interpret it for statistical and therapeutic purposes. 

1-28. (canceled)
 29. A device for exercising the limbs and the trunk comprising a hollow container hinged to a central support by means of a connection joint the height containing a movable mass of liquid or solid type, said container being of which is greater than the height of the centre of gravity of the assembly formed by said hollow container and by said movable mass.
 30. The device for exercising the limbs and the trunk as claimed in claim 29, wherein said central support is provided with a base to rest on the floor.
 31. The device for exercising the limbs and the trunk as claimed in 30, wherein said hollow container is shaped so that it is substantially flat on one side and semi-toroidal on the other with a central depression housing the seat for said joint for connection to said central support.
 32. The device for exercising the limbs and the trunk as claimed in claim 31, wherein said central support has a plate which forms the stop for said hollow container during the oscillations thereof.
 33. The device for exercising the limbs and the trunk as claimed in claim 32, wherein said plate is disc-shaped.
 34. The device for exercising the limbs and the trunk as claimed in claim 33, wherein said plate is free to rotate about said central support.
 35. The device for exercising the limbs and the trunk as claimed in claim 34, wherein said plate is provided with a gasket at the level of the area of contact with said hollow container.
 36. The device for exercising the limbs and the trunk as claimed in claim 35, wherein said gasket has an uneven thickness to allow variable inclination of the seat according to the side on which inclination takes place.
 37. The device for exercising the limbs and the trunk as claimed in claim 36, wherein said plate is provided with a mechanism to adjust the height thereof along said central support.
 38. The device for exercising the limbs and the trunk as claimed in claim 37, wherein said hollow container is provided with a mechanism to adjust the height thereof with respect to said base to rest on the floor.
 39. The device for exercising the limbs and the trunk as claimed in claim 38, wherein said hollow container is provided with one or more inner walls suitable to orient the movement of said movable mass in one or more preferred directions.
 40. The device for exercising the limbs and the trunk as claimed in claim 39, wherein said hollow container is provided with fixed masses, applied to the inner or outer walls thereof, suitable to favour movement in certain directions with respect to others which are instead inhibited.
 41. The device for exercising the limbs and the trunk as claimed in claim 40, wherein said fixed masses are composed of metal edges, bands, studs, etc.
 42. The device for exercising the limbs and the trunk as claimed in claim 41, wherein said joint for connection with said central support is a ball joint.
 43. The device for exercising the limbs and the trunk as claimed in claim 42, wherein said joint for connection to said central support is a joint of the type that allows free rotation only in desired directions.
 44. The device for exercising the limbs and the trunk as claimed in claim 43, wherein it comprises a support provided with backrest and armrests.
 45. The device for exercising the limbs and the trunk as claimed in claim 44, wherein the upper side of said hollow container is covered by non-slip material.
 46. The device for exercising the limbs and the trunk as claimed in claim 45, wherein said hollow container is provided, on the upper side thereof, with a handgrip.
 47. The device for exercising the limbs and the trunk as claimed in claim 46, wherein the seat for said joint for connection to said central support is above the supporting surface of said container, thereby increasing the difference between the height of the center of gravity of the container and the height of the fulcrum of oscillation of the device.
 48. The device for exercising the limbs and the trunk as claimed in claim 47, wherein said plate, which forms the stop for said hollow container during oscillations thereof, is provided with suitable contact sensors, applied to said plate or to the gasket thereof.
 49. The device for exercising the limbs and the trunk as claimed in claim 48, wherein said contact sensors are connected to an electronic data acquisition board.
 50. The device for exercising the limbs and the trunk as claimed in claim 49, wherein said contact sensors are piezoelectric sensors.
 51. The device for exercising the limbs and the trunk as claimed in claim 49, wherein said contact sensors are microswitch sensors. 